One tumultuous week

Few predicted Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi could fall or discerned protesters’ resilience, but as the days unfold victory seems within reach of those seeking to shrug off the regime’s veil of repression.

Mr Gaddafi, who has held the nation in his grip for 42 years, made it clear from his first appearance this would be a bitter fight to the “last drop” of blood and he was prepared to die a “martyr” in the land of his ancestors.

Gaddafi’ 38-year-old son, Saif al-Islam, who studied governance and international relations at the London School of Economics, said the army stood behind his father and yesterday dismissed reports of violence as “just a big joke”.

But witnesses tell a different story and human rights agencies are saying thousands have been killed in the clashes between anti-regime demonstrators and security forces loyal to the Libyan leader.

Malta, which has been close to Libya for four decades, is watching the situation unfold with caution as the nation reverts to its traditional role as the geographical link between Europe and north Africa, serving as a base for numerous countries scrambling to evacuate their citizens from Libya.

The tiny island has been making headlines since last Monday when two Mirage fighter jets, piloted by Libyan colonels, defected and sought refuge in Malta. Since then, images of evacuees disembarking at Grand Harbour and landing at Malta International Airport have been beamed across the world.

The Sunday Times takes a snapshot of the week’s events as they unfolded on the island’s shores.

Monday, February 21. Two Libyan fighter jet pilots land in Malta claiming to have escaped the country after being asked to bomb protesters in Benghazi. • Tales of fear and shooting pour in as Maltese escaping Libya start arriving at the airport. • Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi condemns violence and expresses concern for victims of the attacks. • Libyans living in Malta start protesting outside their embassy in Balzan and are joined by three staff members.

Tuesday, February 22. A defiant Mr Gaddafi makes his first appearance on state television vowing he will capture “the rats” and chase “the cockroaches” to save Libya. • Diplomatic sources say the Libyan government has asked the Maltese authorities to return the fighter jets. • Libyans in Malta continue protesting outside the embassy in Balzan demanding the resignation of Ambassador Saadun Suayeh. • It emerges that Malta exported €79 million worth of small arms to Libya in 2009, but the government clarifies these belonged to an Italian-licensed company that only used Malta to transit the shipment to Libya.

Wednesday, February 23. Malta braces itself to handle thousands of evacuees getting out of Libya, as the government receives requests from numerous countries to use Malta as a transit point. • Maltese returning from Tripoli recount how Libyan officials were searching passengers’ bags for images or footage of the turmoil. • Maltese businessmen express fears about the situation and the headache of pulling out their employees. • Anti-Gaddafi protesters continue demonstrating outside the embassy in Balzan.

Thursday, February 24. Mr Gaddafi transmits a second message, this time over the radio, blaming Osama Bin Laden for poisoning the minds of Libyan youths with drugs. • Ambassador Saadun Suayeh gives a rare press conference where he plays down talk of a popular revolution and insists he cannot resign. • Evacuees continue to arrive and speak of chaos and corruption. • The Labour Party issues a statement condemning all forms of violence in Libya. • Malta persuades several EU countries to pledge support should there be an exodus of asylum seekers from Libya. • Libyan protesters in Malta turn up at the airport demanding the arrest of a man they believe is the chairman of Afriqiyah Airways, which was reported to have carried mercenaries into Libya.

Friday, February 25. The EU agrees to impose sanctions on Libya and plans to formalise its action this week. • Two catamarans belonging to Virtu Ferries, which had been stuck in Tripoli because of bad weather, arrive in Grand Harbour carrying over 600 people. • The government continues with its mission to evacuate all the Maltese choosing to leave Libya. • Air Malta’s insurer demands an additional premium of €80,000 for each flight operating from Libya, which it declared a “war zone”. • Libyans in Malta continue protesting in Balzan and believe the downfall of the regime is close. • Nationalist MEP Simon Busuttil insists the priority is the “massacre” taking place in Libya and that fears of an influx of immigrants are secondary. • Foreign Affairs Minister Tonio Borg defends Malta’s “cautious” approach to the Libyan crisis.

Saturday, February 26. US President Barack Obama imposes sanctions on Mr Gaddafi’s government over his brutal crackdown on protesters. • British frigate HMS Cumberland docks at Grand Harbour in the early hours with some 250 British workers from Benghazi. • The Grimaldi Ferry Cruise Roma arrives carrying more than 2,000 Chinese and nine Maltese workers on board. • Libyan protesters, joined by Maltese supporters, hold an anti-Gaddafi protest in Valletta. • The government urges all Maltese to leave Tripoli immediately as the situation continues to deteriorate.